Neuvation Cycling
R28X Aero
wheelsets - clincher

Product Description

Shimano 8, 9, or 10 and all current SRAM systems or Campy versions available.

Rim: Deep V 27 mm rim 19 mm wide 480 grams (note that this is a new rim for this model and the rear wheel only has a wear indicator groove in the center of the braking surface). 20H. R series wheels use 6066 aluminum alloy rather than the standard 6061 which makes them much stronger. Most other companies would tradename something like this (I like "Unobtanium" - but choose to tell you what it really is instead). I used sleeved rims instead of welded because the can be made lighter and are stronger and less expensive than welded rims.

User Reviews

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
John Stover
a Recreational Rider

Date Reviewed: February 3, 2015

Strengths: Good quality hubs, spokes, skewers

Weaknesses: Defective rims.

Bottom Line:

I haven't seen any longer-term reviews on this 16Hx20H wheelset, so I thought I would provide one. The stock wheels on my 2004 Giant OCR-1 were XeroLITE XSR-3s, so I thought I was upgrading when I purchased the R28AeroX wheelset. I was also eager to experience the performance gain hyped for aero wheels. These wheels were adequately aero to feel side wind resistance in my steering, but they did not perform as well as my stock 20Hx24H wheelset, which is more rigid, and seems to transfer more power to the road. My box-profile stock wheels are significantly more responsive on windy, high-speed technical descents, as well, and they are only 1/4 lb. or so heavier. However, the biggest problem (maybe the only problem) with the R28AeroX wheelset is a significant and potentially life-threatening one, under the conditions I just described. I noticed after about 9,000 miles that my Shimano brake calipers would not stay centered. This started about 6 months earlier (around 8,000 miles), but I did not document the mileage at that time. Since the brakes were older than the wheels, I thought the caliper linkage was wearing out. I recently noticed some minor wheel shudder while braking, loosening spokes and lack of wheel trueness, so I asked my bike mechanic to put the wheels on his truing jig. It was he who discovered one major tear in the rear rim around a drive side nipple, and cracks around five additional drive side nipples. He even found a rim tear around a front wheel nipple, and several other rim cracks in the front. I'm a 72 year old road rider, weighing 145-150 lbs, and I was 70 when I installed the R28AeroX wheels, so you can be reasonably certain that they haven't been subjected to excessive power or weight. I also avoid rough road surfaces and potholes with great diligence, so they haven't experienced tremendous shocks. My stock rims, which I put back on the bike, had been retired after 11,700 miles without ever needing truing, and my mechanic confirmed that they still didn't need it before I re-installed them. Since I purchased the R28AeroX wheelset in June 2012, Neuvation (now Neugent Cycling) confirmed that they would not support the expired warranty. Especially intriguing to me is that they don't even build 16Hx20H wheels any more, even though they heavily promoted them a couple of years ago. They did offer to rebuild my rear wheel with a 20H rim that they currently use for front wheels, for a good price. It was a fair offer, but I need two rims, not just one, and I would not feel secure on another 20H rear wheel. Frankly, I'm not convinced that a recreational rider derives any benefit from aero wheels, either. Due to the potential for catastrophic failure, I rated this wheelset at a 1 overall. If you are still riding on these wheels, make sure you check for rim cracks around the nipples (especially around the rear drive side spokes) before each ride.

I bought these wheels to serve as my training and commuting wheelset after having raced the R28 for several seasons. These wheels are the best value I could find. They are inexpensive but light, durable but snappy. This is a fantastic value and a no-brainer purchase for anyone looking for another wheelset.

Overall Rating:

Value Rating:

Submitted by
Jon

Date Reviewed: May 10, 2012

Strengths: Cheap, lightweight, outstanding support for problems

Weaknesses: On the other side of the country from me (so shipping is slow), problems with rear axle and rims.

Bottom Line:

I have had 3 rear wheels and one front wheel. I moved from Mavic Aksium that came with my Cervelo Team Soloist (since discontinued). These wheels were substantially lighter than the Aksiums and, of all of the changes I've made, this is the one that made the most obvious difference in my riding; particularly starting from dead stops and up hills. The front wheels has been utterly solid for 3 years now; I had to do a tiny bit of truing, but nothing significant.

The rear wheel has been nothing but a pain in the neck. I've cracked two rims, and broke an axle. Maybe I'm just really mean on wheels, but I only weigh 185 and I'm definitely no professional, so there's a limit to the amount of power I'm generating. On the positive side, these wheels are so inexpensive, I don't even really care if I break it; at this price I can even keep spares around. They also have some pretty good protection plans and you don't really have to send back the entire wheel (which is expensive), you can remove the spokes and hub and send those back in a small (cheap) box and they'll return a rebuilt wheel with a new rim to you.

Also, if the wheels are too loud, I've found that applying a minimal amount of grease between the cassette and the hub makes them practically silent. So you can go with whatever level of noise suits you simply by applying grease.

I was upgrading the components of a frame I built in 1985 from DuraAce 7400 to SRAM Force, and I needed to find a replacement for my old freewheel hubs. For the price of a new DuraAce rear hub I instead decided to try the Neuvation R28 AeroX wheels, which I purchased direct from Neuvation. They arrived a couple of days later. I put them in my Park wheel stand and checked for trueness. Both were very good, the rear needing only about 1/4 turn on 1 spoke to make them perfect. I have since put 800 miles on them riding a lot of sidewalks and bike paths that put a good deal of stress on a wheel. I weigh 185 dressed to ride, and so far I have not had to touch a spoke. They still spin true, the hubs are smoother and drag less than new (which wasn't much). I particularly like the design of the quick release lever provided. They lock back securely, but have a shape that keeps the ends of the levers back behind the fork and rear stays where they are unlike to catch on another riders' wheel in a pack. The rims have not been gouged or scratched by dirt on the brake pads.

Overall I give these a 5, as they are as advertised and have exceeded my expectation on reliability, as well as being an exceptionally good value.

Weaknesses: I little bit heavier than advertised. 27gr heavier than advertised on the front wheel and 36 for the rear.

Bottom Line:

I've been riding on these wheels for a few months now. I have been very happy with their performance. They spin forever and are a very solid wheel. I've smacked a few pot holes and bridge joints that would like to knock your fillings out and the wheels are still true. Apparently the pre 2009 wheels were lighter but had issues with cracking around the spoke holes. I've talked with a guy that had that issue but hasn't had the problem since they replaced the rims with the newer model. When I was wheel shopping I couldn't find a wheelset with the same specs for less than $420 a pair. I got these when they were the deal of the day for $229.

Related R28X Aero Forum Posts

Down to these two. Not a racer; just the weekly group rides. Avg in the 20 to 21mph range for our rides. I guess I'm trying to determine if the aero spokes in this case is purely bling. Blackset race is a bit lighter, and has a higher spoke count. I can get the CX-Ray spokes for the Blacksets b ... Read More »